starting some flowers and pictures from today

Posted on 23. Apr, 2010 by Princess Lasertron.

I’m still waiting on that darn overseas shipment to finish all the orders I have on my desk right now. Stupid volcano!

I started the day by visiting CAMP, my new studio and coworking space, with my friend Eric Downs who will be working there with me. The buildout process is starting this week and I wanted to get another look at the unfinished space and visualize the styling for the furniture and decor. I’m still torn on what to do with the floor. What would you do? Maybe just give it a good polish? Leave it raw?

I also started some flower seeds that were given to me by my friend Emily who works at the bank. Planting them in little peat cups just made my day and I hope some of them germinate so I can transplant them in my front yard!

So lots of manual labor and work–cleaning, yard work, and going for walks. I’ve been having hard but irregular contractions all day, and right now we’re in a tornado watch. So cross your fingers that I have this kid in my basement next to the cat litter.

And thanks to my sweet husband for the waffles.

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questions from you no. 19

Posted on 05. Apr, 2010 by Princess Lasertron.

Q: Have you done follow ups on any of your brides with regard to what they do with their bouquets? Are they displayed…stored in a box for future generations to use…plastic cases to prevent dust? (From Karen)

A: I have never asked, but many brides have told me that they have their bouquets on their mantles near pictures from their wedding, or on a bureau near a jewelry box. A few of my customers have even taken their bouquets apart and turned the flowers into pins, glued them to headbands, or sewn them to purses and hats. I love that idea–I understand sentimental value of a bouquet for some, but I am all for repurposing objects you no longer use into something new that you can fall in love with again.

Q: If you had more free time, what hobby would you like to try? (From Jeanelle)

A: One of my favorite bloggers is Alicia Paulson–it was actually she who motivated me in 2005 to stop being just a hobbyist and start my business. I admired how she seemed to balance her personal life and work life, didn’t accept that she had to choose between them, and still enjoyed huge success with her project ideas and craft designs.

Anyway. Lately Alicia has been making a little dress each day, using vintage fabrics from her stash (I have a big one too) and patterns that evoke memories of the simple handmade dresses from her own childhood. I would love to see my daughter in a dress like that every day and this summer I hope to take inspiration from Alicia and make several outfits for her.

Above photo by Alicia Paulson.

Q: I recently bought a bouquet kit from you (love it by the way) but the instructions didn’t have anything about those super cute simple flowers I’ve seen you do lately. How do you make those? (from Jenn)

A: I wish I could sell kits for everything I make, but it’s a lot of work to fabricate them. I spent about 3-4 months before I launched the felt flower bouquet kits finalizing packaging, design, and the instruction booklet also took a lot of time. To design a kit for everything I sell is a long-term goal right now, but I don’t realistically have the time yet.

This summer I am contributing to a new book published by Sterling/Lark that will feature many stepped-out projects. And in a few months after I open CAMP and get some more help, more kits, how-to videos, and project tutorials will definitely happen!

Q: What qualities do you most like/dislike in others? (Via Formspring)

A: I like it when people are adaptable and flexible, when they can get over things quickly. I like it when they don’t take themselves seriously. I dislike pretentiousness and rudeness–It’s so uncomfortable when people are impolite.

Q: In following your blog, you mention that you order a lot of your clothes. Do you have any favorite sites that you’d be willing to share? (From Ashely)

A: ModCloth is my absolute favorite, and I also love how they use their Twitter feed to engage customers without coming off as sales-y. I also shop online at Anthropologie, Ruche, Need Supply, and ASOS.

For splurges, my favorites are Browns Fashion, Gilt, and of course Net-A-Porter.

I also often use ShopStyle to find clothes when I don’t really know what I’m looking for…you just enter some search terms like “green dress” or “black frame bag” and it returns all of these results from all over the internet. It’s a really well designed site that I could waste all day on…

Q: How do you work in the same place you relax and live? I have so much respect for your ability to do that. (From Rachael)

A: Oh man! I was just thinking the other day about how much more space I have than I used to. When I moved in with Mr. Lasertron, I basically worked from the bed and floor. There was no table, no desk, no space. When our roommate Sarah moved out, I was able to take over a really cute room for my studio where I worked for about a year and a half. Now I am working in a room that I share with Dave as his office, and next month I am moving into a 2,000 sq ft space that I’m leasing downtown.

I like working at home but I have nowhere to bring clients and nowhere for employees to work. The new downtown studio will probably become my second home–Alice will be there all the time and it’s just a quick bike ride for Dave to come visit–and also give me some professional credibility and a chance for creative growth that I need at this time.

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a few sneak peeks for tonight’s runway show (for those of you who won’t be there!)

Posted on 31. Mar, 2010 by Princess Lasertron.

About three weeks ago I was invited by the Omaha Fashion Week designers to show a few pieces at a runway show to raise money for the Omaha Women’s Fund. I talked to my partner Joi Mahon and we decided that it was a great promotional opportunity and we had time to do five pieces. Here are some sneak peeks to what the attendees are going to see tonight.

Now I’m off to get my hair done for the show tonight, meet my models backstage to make sure the hair and makeup worked out, and take some promo photos!

None of the pieces at tonight’s show are part of the original Spring 2011 collection I am showing at Omaha Fashion Week in September. The five garments I am showing tonight are designed first to be easy to sew quickly (thank Joi for that), and second to generate excitement for the twelve party and wedding dresses debuting this fall. It’s just gonna be a party tonight!

I am also excited to see what the other designers created. I wonder if they are doing all new pieces or if they are showing things that are for the September show.

All of this makes me so excited to move into CAMP in May and start planning how to best use that space. So many hours spent alone in my studio this week and I am eager to break out!

xo

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Princess Lasertron is going to CAMP this summer! Would you like to come too?

Posted on 23. Mar, 2010 by Princess Lasertron.

Since last December my freelance and self-employed friends and I have been looking for a space where we can work, collaborate, and grow. A coworking space for independent creatives.

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today’s outfit and 33 weeks

Posted on 22. Mar, 2010 by Princess Lasertron.

Starting to feel like the boring lady who only talks about being pregnant. Looks like another Target outfit day!

This week I am doing a lot of work on the outfits for the March 31 runway show. I need to post some info about that this week so you guys can get tickets if you want to go! But for now, just check out the Facebook event I created for it. All the details are there!

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